I wonder what Steve Tambellini would like for Christmas... Wins? Consistency? A healthy team? Another forward in double digits in goals?

The big question for Tambellini is will he want wins, or sacrifice that and take player development at this point; because right now it doesn’t look like he’ll be able to have both this season.

The Oilers find themselves 15th in the west this morning, seven points out of the playoffs. It's stunning how quickly things can change in Oilerville in the span of a week. After five straight road wins the Oilers were back in the playoff hunt, three points out with a four-game home stand on the horizon, but three consecutive losses have them closer to Taylor Hall than Lord Stanley.

They lost to LA, Nashville and Washington — all top-seven teams. So it’s not like they're losing to dogs, but it also shows that this team isn’t ready for prime time.

The biggest challenge that Tambellini, Quinn and company face is trying to separate which of these young players will continue to develop and which ones don’t have the ability to elevate their game to the next level.

The players in the dressing room still feel they can win and get to the playoffs, so don’t expect them to roll over and play dead. But from my stand point, this team is a few players away from being a contender. I don’t expect the team to lose on purpose, because players aren’t wired that way, but within a month the landscape should be very clear in what direction Tambellini should go.

Do you remember the first time?

Quinn has elected to give Devan Dubnyk his first NHL start tonight. According to Quinn, he had this game penciled in as a Dubnyk’s a few weeks ago, but didn’t tell him until this morning.

Dubnyk was obviously excited, but he joked about the pressure of the first NHL start compared to his first NHL game when he came off the bench in Vancouver.

"You always have time to be nervous. The difference about today is that I have all day to think about it, rather than getting nervous when I put on my mask in Vancouver. Trust me; the nerves will be there either way."

Dubnyk won’t be the only change tonight. JF Jacques has recovered from the flu and is ready to go and Quinn wants to play him, but he liked Jason Strudwick’s game on Saturday and hinted that 43 might not be the guy coming out.

He likes the intangibles that Strudwick brings. He talked about his mental toughness, his strength and you got the feeling that Quinn wants guys he knows will compete every play regardless of their ability.

Line shuffle

Quinn also juggled his lines this morning, which shouldn’t surprise anyone considering they’ve lost three in a row.

This is how they looked at practice, but they could change depending on who Quinn sits out tonight.

Considering the players still feel they can make the playoffs, tonight is a must-win. The Blues are one point ahead of the Oilers, but the Oilers have owned them, winning eight straight.

The Blues don’t have a player with more than 22 points (Brad Boyes), but they have eight players with 18 or more points.

David Backes is hot all of a sudden, with five goals and seven points in his last five games. He had four goals in the first 29 games. The Blues spread out their scoring and David Perron and TJ Oshie each have 18 points playing on the third line.

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

Pre-Nup. Tiger was smart enough to get the woman to sign it. Personally, if I had a billion dollars Id find a woman that would join in on my escapades rather than claw me. Buddy has more money than Hugh Hefner and Hefner making him look like a rank amateur.

On a serious note, won't be able to catch the game tonight, but I'd be watching the Penner-Jackman matchup. I've said it for a couple of years now... THE OIL NEED A BARRET JACKMAN TYPE. IIRC, he gave Penner mad props earlier this year (in a Bob Stauffer interview, maybe??).

Pre-Nup. Tiger was smart enough to get the woman to sign it. Personally, if I had a billion dollars Id find a woman that would join in on my escapades rather than claw me. Buddy has more money than Hugh Hefner and Hefner making him look like a rank amateur.

Seriously man. All of those goals might not be on DD, but an NHL goalie makes the saves to keep it close. Same problem with JDD. Inexperience is costing us two soft ones a night. We don't have a strong enough lineup to spot opposing teams that much spread night after night.

Seriously man. All of those goals might not be on DD, but an NHL goalie makes the saves to keep it close. Same problem with JDD. Inexperience is costing us two soft ones a night. We don't have a strong enough lineup to spot opposing teams that much spread night after night.

Our defence is terrible tonight. You think if Habby is in net the blues don't score 5 or 6?

So on that "first" PP unit we had O'Sullivan, Stortini, and Jacques. Why? Has Quinn given up completely and is just playing whatever lines come into his head or was that an honest attempt. This team really is just no good. We play simple we win, teams figure it out or we get bored of winning and we lose. There is no stability. I really am an optomist in most things but this is a team clearly out classed.

I think if Khabby is in net, he makes the saves to keep it at 3 or 4. The guys in front of him might have the confidence to go get that game back. Neither JDD nor DD should be a backup in the NHL. This might be hard to deal with but you learn the game in the AHL. The NHL is NOT a development league.

As far as the majority of our forwards, same deal applies. That's why we're basically hooped. Is any other team in the league working in so many development players? Nope.

Oh also I would like to point out that we have played three teams in a row playing on the second game of a back-to-back. Granted they only had to fly from Vancouver to Edmonton, its still not something you just shake off.

So on that "first" PP unit we had O'Sullivan, Stortini, and Jacques. Why? Has Quinn given up completely and is just playing whatever lines come into his head or was that an honest attempt. This team really is just no good. We play simple we win, teams figure it out or we get bored of winning and we lose. There is no stability. I really am an optomist in most things but this is a team clearly out classed.

He probably figures this is a game where you give some guys experience they might not get too much normally.

Fact is, if there was any doubt before, this team is now in full rebuild mode. Even if Tambellini will never admit as much.

JDD has been a good enough backup this year IMO. Sure DD should probably not be playing in the NHL yet but injuries happen and you're not going to play JDD 25 straight games until Habby is back are you?

Wow.... friggin awesome. Dear Steve Tambellini, uh dude, listen.... I think you can tell by now that this team sucks balls. I don't know if you got the memo or anything but uh, It's YOUR job to fix it. You wanna maybe try a little?

Wow.... friggin awesome. Dear Steve Tambellini, uh dude, listen.... I think you can tell by now that this team sucks balls. I don't know if you got the memo or anything but uh, It's YOUR job to fix it. You wanna maybe try a little?

Funny thing is, I'd feel way better if Tambellini just came out and said "we're rebuilding". I think we all would.

Dude, I don't even want him to say it. Just make deals that show us he has picked a direction and is going with it. Trade a couple vets for prospects or picks. That will give the fan base the message. I don't need him to say it, just show me he is committed to make this team better long term.